Sangita Patel, beloved TV host, wellness advocate, entertainment journalist and mother, is no stranger to storytelling. But in 2023, one of the most personal stories she would ever tell began to unfold — and this time, she was at the centre of it.

In the closing chapter of her ET Canada journey, Sangita’s co-host noticed something unusual: a small lump on her neck. And so did her audience. Messages poured in from concerned viewers, prompting her to take a closer look. What followed was a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.

This was a moment that could have shaken anyone. But Sangita, who also holds a background in engineering, approached the challenge like any other problem: head-on.

Her path led her to University Health Network (UHN), home to some of the world’s most advanced cancer care and surgical innovation.

Here, she met Dr. Jesse Pasternak, a trailblazing surgeon in UHN’s Sprott Department of Surgery, known for treating Canada’s most rare and complex thyroid cancer cases.

Just a few years ago, Dr. Pasternak introduced a new minimally invasive thyroid nodule removal technique – one he mastered in Thailand – to UHN: the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) procedure. Unlike traditional thyroid surgery which is highly invasive, requires a prominent neck incision and carries a risk of damaging the vocal cords, TOETVA is done through a small incision inside the lower lip, leaving virtually no visible scar. For someone like Sangita whose voice is central to her career, this less invasive option was transformative.

Today, Dr. Pasternak remains the only surgeon in Canada performing this procedure – a testament to UHN’s leadership in surgical innovation and the donor support that makes it possible.

“Advancing surgical care at UHN requires more than clinical expertise – it depends on donor support,” said Dr. Pasternak. “Investments in research, education and technology enable UHN to adopt innovative techniques like TOETVA, and deliver care that patients like Sangita cannot access anywhere else in Canada.”

Sangita’s first TOETVA procedure at UHN was a success, and a few months later, she received a second surgery to remove the remaining half of her thyroid. Throughout it all, she remained a beacon of positivity and resilience.

Rather than retreating from the public eye during her cancer journey, Sangita leaned in. She shared her journey openly with her more than 400,000 social media followers, encouraging women to listen to their bodies and get checked.

The response was overwhelming. Her inbox filled with messages from people sharing their own stories, their fears, and their gratitude. Sangita’s experience was not only raising awareness: it was also changing lives.

When asked what her voice on social media was, Sangita responded with, “Joy. Joy is my voice and that is what I want to show.” 

“If I can help even one person,” she said, “then sharing my story is worth it. It fuels me.”

Now cancer-free, Sangita continues to share her journey to inspire others. Her advocacy has grown beyond awareness. It’s become a commitment to strengthen the health system that saved her life. As an active ambassador for UHN and UHN Foundation, she supports life-saving innovation and research, helping ensure patients across Canada have access to the same world-class care. Through her support, Sangita is shaping a future where more lives are saved – and more stories end with hope.